First Baptist Church. Twin Falls, Idaho

Transcription

1 First Baptist Church Twin Falls, Idaho

2 "A Time to Get Acquainted" First Baptist Church of Twin Falls, Idaho, (aka FirstB) of the American Baptist Churches USA, is a selfgoverning church founded in Our founders were pioneers in the new community of Twin Falls, and their commitment to reaching out to community families has been handed down through successive generations. Senior Pastor, Dr. Jeff Cooper, has been with us since September 2007, and we currently seeing physical and spiritual growth in our church family. At this time, we have about 200 people actively involved in the life of our church and our average worship attendance is about 150. We are excited for the future that the Lord has planned for us! First Baptist has numerous active ministries: small groups, Bible studies, Sunday School, Wednesday night children's group, youth group, preschool, and an after school program. Our desire is to create an environment in which not only new believers, but also committed Christians can grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. We are avid supporters of mission work, including the American Baptist ministries and missions. First Baptist is truly a reflection of our community. We blend a variety of age groups and interests into our church family. Our composition includes single parent families, working couples, retired members, and others from all walks of life who gather to worship and work together as one family. Traditionally an agriculturally based economy, Twin Falls has become a commercial center, serving an outlying population of 165,000 in a geographic area of approximately 15,000 square miles. We believe that Twin Falls is among the top locations in the US to raise a family. We are in a quiet, yet vibrant part of the world with great school systems, low crime, growing economy, and world-class recreation. The average cost to purchase a starter home in Twin Falls is between $100,000 and $150,000, and real estate prices are similar in the smaller communities within a short driving distance of Twin Falls. Southern Idaho offers recreation and wilderness areas in all directions, none of which require travel for more than a couple of hours. Sun Valley is within this perimeter and is considered a "hot spot" for recreation and relaxation. Closer still are the "South Hills," which are a nearby mountain range encompassing two ski areas, hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, rock or ice climbing opportunities and more. Southern Idaho is also home to the world-famous Snake River Canyon, which is found at the city's northern border. Shopping and cultural pursuits are available here in Twin Falls, in Boise (120 miles west), or in Salt Lake City (220 miles southeast). We are blessed with two beautiful and world famous waterfalls that serve as favorite attractions to travelers as well as the Perrine bridge which offers base jumping 365 days a year.

3 "The Life and Works of Our Church" Worship Service Our 9:30a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship services are friendly and relaxed. They are organized and coordinated by the worship team and the pastor, with a great time of fellowship, with coffee and pastries in between. On occasion, our children and youth participate in the service through singing, special music, taking offering, scripture reading or drama. Our praise and worship team is an amazing mix of musical talent. We offer a musically blended style of worship. During this time, we often enjoy the musical gifts of our members including the hand bell choir, instrumental solos, and vocal solos. Guest soloists and musical groups providing praise are welcomed and easily accommodated, due to our relaxed structure. Pictured here is Sandy Hacking, our staff member who plays the organ, piano, keyboard, clarinet and has been serving faithfully for several years. Bob, Bill, Cindy and others serve through our media team to support the work of our excellent Praise team led by the very capable Mike Redman. Our praise and worship team leads us in glorifying by creating and facilitating an environment in which the congregation experiences His full presence through personal worship. First Baptist Church has been blessed with a variety of musically talented individuals, both instrumentally and vocally, who utilize a wide array of instruments including, but not limited to the cello, bass, violin, mandolin, electric guitar, keyboards and drums. Finally, our pastor, Dr. Jeff Cooper, fills listeners' hearts with the word and the love of Jesus through scripture and inspirational messages that create a desire to be more like our Savior.

4 "Youth Ministry" Our Youth Group meets weekly and commonly attracts students from both junior and senior high school. The number of youth participating has varied greatly over the years, often dependent upon leadership and very dependent upon the kind of activity offered. There are five public high schools and three Christian high schools in the local area. Youth group nights are flexible with a mix of fun games and Biblical teachings, and is a valuable time for the youth to fellowship with one another and to learn more about what the heart and attitude of a Christian teenager should be. Our Sunday school furthers discussion of Biblical concepts and how to apply them in our own lives. Larger events are planned throughout the year as an outreach to those friends of the youth who are not in church or who have not accepted the Lord as their Savior. The goal of such events is to expand the number of youth in the group as well as to reinforce the importance of reaching others in this age group and engaging them with Jesus. Our youth ministry is a support system in a time of transformation from child to youth, and later from youth to young adult. Our youth have the opportunity to attend summer camp at our Creator-inspired Cathedral Pines Church Camp near Ketchum, Idaho, about 120 minutes north of Twin Falls in the rugged Boulder and Sawtooth Mountains. Camps at Cathedral Pines include the High School camp, Junior High camp, Middle School camp, and Junior Camp. In addition there are adult, winter, family, and work camps throughout the year. Currently, Sabrina Harrison, our Children s Ministry Director serves as interim Director of Student Ministries assisted by Wanda Harris. Through His grace, the Lord has given Sabrina and Wanda the desire and creativity to keep our youth ministries going strong while we search for our next Director of Student Ministries. The summer of 2013 saw a youth mission trip exchange with youth from Ohio led by Pastor Jeff, his wife Kim and our Director of Connection Ministries, Teresa Charbonneau. In this picture they were spreading stone to make a path safer for summer campers.

5 "Children's Ministry" Our children's ministry is designed to guide children from the first grade through the fifth grade into knowing, accepting, and serving Jesus while learning to glorify God. We offer Sunday school during the early worship service and Children's Church during the later worship service. Both are ministries dedicated to raising children with a love of the Lord, transitioning as the child matures and grows in their walk with God. It is a time of prayer, worship, short scriptures and Bible stories provided on a weekly basis. Another weekly activity the children look forward to is held on Wednesday evenings: Awana. Music takes place in and rocks out our sanctuary. Awana helps churches and parents work together to develop spiritually strong children and youth who faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Our program offers a proven approach for evangelizing and discipling kids in the church and community. Christian friendships vital to children are created and developed in this precursor to Youth Group. Additional events take place annually such as Vacation Bible School, Happy Harvest Festival, summer camp, and the end of the school year overnighter. FirstB is proud of our family atmosphere and understands that children are our future and very important present.

6 FirstB Preschool Our Preschool offers a well rounded education, combining preparing your child for kindergarten testing with a love and knowledge of the Lord. We provide your child with a comprehensive pre-k curriculum along with many extras such as music, drama, art, snacks, recess and Bible stories. We are State of Idaho Licensed and ICCP Certified. We strive to provide a comprehensive preschool education in a nurturing Christian environment! FirstB Daycare and Afterschool Our amazing Afterschool Care Program allowing your child play time, homework time, snack time, devotions and game time!! We provide transportation to our afterschool program from all Twin Falls schools!! The children experience fun and healthy snacks...including some scripture cooking for kids! We provide age appropriate teachings to inspire God's love in our children!

7 "Church Staff" Pastor Jeff Sabrina Maria Marina Teresa Pastor Jeff has been serving as a pastor for twenty-nine years - FirstB since He has a BA degree in Fine Arts (theater), a Masters of Divinity degree in Biblical Studies and a Doctorate of Ministry in preaching. He loves Christ s church and feels blessed to be called to preach the word of God. He enjoys golf, boating, live theater and anything outdoors. Four years ago he and others form the church founded a very successful community theater called From the Heart Theater Group performing a major production annually. Sabrina grew into the position of Children s Ministry Director and has been serving here for 9 Years. Her energy and creativity knows no bounds. She is very involved with camping ministry and lives the life of a Jesus freak. Maria began watching the children in our Daycare and now serves as Director of Preschool and Daycare. She works well at serving the children, the parents and the church all at the same time. Marina is new to the staff serving as a part time secretary. She fit in from day one and picks things up very quickly. She is a tremendous asset to the team. Teresa has been serving for 14 years as Administrative Secretary and recently added the job of Director of Connection Ministries. She is the one who keeps things moving and organized and loves on everyone who walks through the doors and those in the community who haven t made it to church yet.

8 "Who We are Searching For" First Baptist Church of Twin Falls is searching for a part-time Director of Student Ministries who is well-trained, creative, and ambitious, and has a passion for teaching youth and young adults about Jesus. We desire an individual who will provide a teaching ministry based on theological, educational, and historical foundations of the Christian faith and who will lead our youth to make decisions for Christ. We are searching for a Director of Student Ministries who will recognize, develop, and encourage the use of the gifts and talents possessed by our youth and young adults to reach out and impact their community and their world. In addition, should our new director possess a gift in an area such as music, athletics, drama or any other field, it may be possible for a ministry encompassing this ability to be developed. Twin Falls is home to the College of Southern Idaho, a two year community school of about 4,000 students. At this time, First Baptist does not have a ministry providing fellowship for college aged; they are included in our adult classes and small groups. There is a great need for the Director of Student Ministries to develop and oversee a separate ministry for this age group. There are many issues related to this period of life that can be addressed through education and fellowship. FirstB provides support for a local ABC Hispanic Ministry, as do many of our area churches, and there is much opportunity for our youth and youth director to minister in this area. Many members of FirstB are active in a variety of ministries and missions. We are looking for that person God has chosen to create an engaging youth ministry in Twin Falls, Idaho. Thank you for considering this ministry.